Caring for a patient, whether a family member or a home health care client, can be challenging under any circumstances. However, the difficulty of providing care is often heightened for bedbound patients. Allcare Home Health has listed a few tips for family caregivers, CNAs and Home Health Aids caring for bedbound patients.  

1. Prioritize Hygiene: This includes bathing, skin care, dental care, shampooing hair, trimming nails, changing clothes and bed linens. There are now products on the market such as No-Rinse Bathing Sponges and Wipes that make bed baths easier for bedbound patients. In addition, hair cleansers that do not require rinsing are very helpful. Keeping a bedbound patient clean is extremely important, as the skin breaks down easily when a person is immobile, causing painful pressure ulcers.  
2. Prevent Bedsores: Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are wounds that develop under constant pressure and friction which, over time, damage the skin and underlying tissue. Unfortunately, bedsores are a common risk for bedbound patients, affecting more than 80% of individuals. To prevent bedsores from developing, ensure that the individual is repositioned once every few hours and encourage them to reposition themselves if they are able. Also, frequently check the patient’s heels, ankles, hips, and tailbone, as these are common bedsore locations.
3. Importance of Good Nutrition: When individuals cannot cook or feed themselves, it is important for their caregivers to ensure they are maintaining a healthy diet. Keep track of their nutrients and calorie intake to be sure they are meeting dietary needs. Additionally, make sure they have easy access to plenty of fluids, so they stay well hydrated.
4. Create a Comfortable Environment: When someone is spending much of their day in a single bed, it is vital to ensure their immediate surroundings are comfortable and engaging. Make sure the space the individual is in, is well lit, ideally with natural light from a viewable and openable window. Limit clutter and make sure that necessary objects, like a phone, TV remote control, a water pitcher or glass of water, are within easy reach. Keep distractions, like a television, limited during rest periods so your patient can get all the necessary sleep they require.
5. Take Care of Yourself: Caring for a bedbound patient can be exhausting work, so it is just as important to take care of yourself during this time. There are variety of support groups for family caregivers, in person and online, which can help you connect with others going through a similar experience. Be careful lifting or turning a bedbound client and do not be afraid to ask for help if you feel that it is necessary.

 Allcare Home Health offers non-medical and skilled nursing services in the Raleigh/Durham area 24/7 X 365.  Call us to schedule an in-home assessment.  (919) 301-0236.

References:

http://digitallibrary.loyolacollegekerala.edu.in:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/2029